Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1989 under the
authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Two federally listed
endangered species, the Iowa Pleistocene snail and northern monkshood, are
found on the refuge. Located in northeast Iowa, the 1,238 acre refuge includes
units that range in size from six acres to 209 acres. Refuge lands include
upland hardwood forests, grassland, stream and riparian habitats.

Protection of endangered species is the primary management focus of Driftless
Area National Wildlife Refuge.

<p>Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1989 under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Two federally listed endangered species, the Iowa Pleistocene snail and northern monkshood, are found on the refuge. Located in northeast Iowa, the 1,238 acre refuge includes units that range in size from six acres to 209 acres. Refuge lands include upland hardwood forests, grassland, stream and riparian habitats.</p>

<p>Protection of endangered species is the primary management focus of Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge.</p>

Bird's eye view of the park

Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge

The mounds preserved here are considered sacred by many Americans, especially
the Monument's 20 culturally associated American Indian tribes. A visit offers
opportunities to contemplate the meanings of the mounds and the people who
built them. The 200 plus American Indian mounds are located in one of the most
picturesque sections of the Upper Mississippi River Valley.

The mounds preserved here are considered sacred by many Americans, especially the Monument's 20 culturally associated American Indian tribes. A visit offers opportunities to contemplate the meanings of the mounds and the people who built them. The 200 plus American Indian mounds are located in one of the most picturesque sections of the Upper Mississippi River Valley.

Effigy Mounds National Monument

Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Genoa, WI and
Lynxville, WI. Project lands are located within the Corps of Engineers Nine
Foot Navigation Project and the Fish and Wildlife Service Upper Mississippi
River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The Main channel provides deep draft
boating opportunities while the backwaters provide a wilderness area
atmosphere for the smaller shallow draft boats. There is an observation
platform for visitors to watch lock operations and see towboats and barges up
close. Blackhawk Park, one of the largest campgrounds on the UMR, is located
in Pool 9 about 7 miles south of Genoa on WI State Hwy 35. Authorized in 1930
to provide a 9-foot navigation channel between Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN and
St. Louis, MO, the Upper Mississippi River Project offers extensive
opportunities for water-based recreation, ranging from backwater hunting and
fishing to long-distance cruising in the main channel. In the St. Paul
District, the project flows through three National Wildlife Refuges, the
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, many State and local wildlife
and recreation areas. Designated an American Heritage River, it offers
visitors many recreational opportunities, including sightseeing along the
river, visiting quaint river towns, viewing the wooded bluffs along the river,
and watching bald eagles soaring.

Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Genoa, WI and Lynxville, WI.   Project lands are located within the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot Navigation Project and the Fish and Wildlife Service Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.  The Main channel provides deep draft boating opportunities while the backwaters provide a wilderness area atmosphere for the smaller shallow draft boats. There is an observation platform for visitors to watch lock operations and see towboats and barges up close. Blackhawk Park, one of the largest campgrounds on the UMR, is located in Pool 9 about 7 miles south of Genoa on WI State Hwy 35. Authorized in 1930 to provide a 9-foot navigation channel between Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN and St. Louis, MO, the Upper Mississippi River Project offers extensive opportunities for water-based recreation, ranging from backwater hunting and fishing to long-distance cruising in the main channel.  In the St. Paul District, the project flows through three National Wildlife Refuges, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, many State and local wildlife and recreation areas.  Designated an American Heritage River, it offers visitors many recreational opportunities, including sightseeing along the river, visiting quaint river towns, viewing the wooded bluffs along the river, and watching bald eagles soaring.

## Overview

Blackhawk Park is located on a forested bend of the main channel of the
Mississippi River. The campground is the largest public use facility in
Mississippi's Pool 9, offering a wide variety of recreational activities.

## Recreation

Boating, kayaking, canoeing and fishing are Blackhawk's most popular forms of
recreation.  
  
Park rangers provide a variety of programs and activities throughout the
summer. Interpretive programs are based on recreation, local history and the
environment. Other activities range from guided walks and campfire talks, to
natural crafts programs.  
  
Here, one can view majestic bluffs and rich backwater vegetation. Sometimes a
river barge or classic paddle-wheeled steamboat can be seen journeying up the
river.

## Facilities

Boating, kayaking, canoeing and fishing are Blackhawk's most popular forms of
recreation.  
  
Park rangers provide a variety of programs and activities throughout the
summer. Interpretive programs are based on recreation, local history and the
environment. Other activities range from guided walks and campfire talks, to
natural crafts programs.  
  
Here, one can view majestic bluffs and rich backwater vegetation. Sometimes a
river barge or classic paddle-wheeled steamboat can be seen journeying up the
river.

## Natural Features

This peaceful park is situated on the main channel of the Mississippi River.
Cottonwoods, green ash, swamp oaks, river birch and willow trees forest the
site, offering nice shade in the summer and beautiful fall colors in autumn.  
  
Visitors commonly see a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, blue
herons, ducks, geese, whitetail deer and wild turkey.

## Nearby Attractions

The small river towns of DeSoto, Wisconsin and Lansing, Iowa are nearby.
DeSoto is 5 minutes south, Lansing is 15 minutes south with a few restaurants
and shops. LaCrosse, Wisconsin is 30 minutes north, with restaurants, shops,
galleries and farmers markets. Effigy Mounds National Monument which is
operated by the National Park Service (NPS) is located about a 40 minutes
south of Blackhawk Park and offers excellent hiking opportunities, and well as
picturesque views, and a visitor center, and is free to enter. The Driftless
Area Education And Visitors Center in Lansing Iowa is a short 15 minute drive
south, and explores the cultural, recreational, natural, and historical
significance of the Driftless Area.

<h2>Overview</h2>
Blackhawk Park is located on a forested bend of the main channel of the Mississippi River. The campground is the largest public use facility in Mississippi's Pool 9, offering a wide variety of recreational activities.<h2>Recreation</h2>
Boating, kayaking, canoeing and fishing are Blackhawk's most popular forms of recreation. <br/>
<br/>
Park rangers provide a variety of programs and activities throughout the summer. Interpretive programs are based on recreation, local history and the environment. Other activities range from guided walks and campfire talks, to natural crafts programs.<br/>
<br/>
Here, one can view majestic bluffs and rich backwater vegetation. Sometimes a river barge or classic paddle-wheeled steamboat can be seen journeying up the river.<h2>Facilities</h2>
Boating, kayaking, canoeing and fishing are Blackhawk's most popular forms of recreation. <br/>
<br/>
Park rangers provide a variety of programs and activities throughout the summer. Interpretive programs are based on recreation, local history and the environment. Other activities range from guided walks and campfire talks, to natural crafts programs.<br/>
<br/>
Here, one can view majestic bluffs and rich backwater vegetation. Sometimes a river barge or classic paddle-wheeled steamboat can be seen journeying up the river.<h2>Natural Features</h2>
This peaceful park is situated on the main channel of the Mississippi River. Cottonwoods, green ash, swamp oaks, river birch and willow trees forest the site, offering nice shade in the summer and beautiful fall colors in autumn.<br/>
<br/>
Visitors commonly see a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, blue herons, ducks, geese, whitetail deer and wild turkey.
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
The small river towns of DeSoto, Wisconsin and Lansing, Iowa are nearby. DeSoto is 5 minutes south, Lansing is 15 minutes south with a few restaurants and shops. LaCrosse, Wisconsin is 30 minutes north, with restaurants, shops, galleries and farmers markets.

Effigy Mounds National Monument which is operated by the National Park Service (NPS) is located about a 40 minutes south of Blackhawk Park and offers excellent hiking opportunities, and well as picturesque views, and a visitor center, and is free to enter.

The Driftless Area Education And Visitors Center in Lansing Iowa is a short 15 minute drive south, and explores the  cultural, recreational, natural, and historical significance of the Driftless Area.

Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Effigy Mounds National Monument

Mississippi River - Pool 9